Rapid changes hit Gulf's environment

Sharjah: In just 50 years the Arabian Peninsula has seen massive social and environmental change which has affected countries of the region differently however Gulf States have shown the most rapid and sustained changes, experts agreed yesterday at the first Conference on Biodiversity Conservation in the Arabian Peninsula in Sharjah, held to mark a decade of wildlife and environmental conservation in the emirate.

As a consequence there is now a wide variation in the status and provisions for wildlife conservation across the region with important lessons to be shared and scope for further international cooperation to enhance conservation management.

The United Nations Environment Programme has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, and people all over the world are working to safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss.

Organized by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) of the Government of Sharjah at the American University of Sharjah, the conference was attended by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

In 2000 Shaikh Sultan initiated the first Conservation Workshop for the Fauna of Arabia at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife (BCEAW). He has been lauded for recognizing the trans-boundary nature of biodiversity issues.

"Humankind is becoming the victim of its own technological success, and other species are paying a heavy price for this success. So the topic of this conference is of the utmost importance for this and coming generations,” said Dr. Peter Heath, American University of Sharjah chancellor.

Abdul Aziz Al Midfaa, Director of the EPAA said further awareness is needed of the wildlife in the region and the need for its preservation. He added that over the past 10 years, over 320 experts from 41 different countries have assessed 215 species of amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles and mammals.

Ebrahim Al Zu’bi, advisor to the Emirates Diving Association highlighted that the UAE has a unique biodiversity system located on two different marine eco-system, the Arabia Gulf and the Indian ocean made the country’s marine life rich and diverse. “A dive site like Martini Rock in Khorfakkhan just 20 minutes from the shore you can find an amazing soft coral formation, you don’t see these things usually in this part of the world," he told Gulf News. "We are all trying to work together to protect it."